Bethel Park council race has 4 contested wards

Races are contested in four wards for municipal council.

Residents of Ward 7 and Ward 9 will have new representation on council, while incumbents are running in Ward 1 and Ward 5. Republican John Oakes, council president, is unopposed in Ward 3.

Candidates in each of the wards for council are listed in alphabetical order.

Ward 1

Joseph A. Consolmagno

Republican

Age: 71

Occupation: Full-time Bethel Park councilman since retiring with 45 years of management in the food services industry

Community involvement/volunteer work: Bethel Park Council since 2016, council vice president since 2024; Bethel Park School District Elementary Building Subcommittee, 2016; served on Bethel Park Planning and Zoning Commission, 2014-15; Bethel Park Home Rule Charter Study Commission; served St. Valentine Church as eucharistic minister 1996-2014; St. Valentine usher, 1995-2014; St. Valentine catechist, 1994-2002; St. Valentine T-Ball coach/manager 1994-97; South Hills Area Council of Governments president, 2023, and vice president, 2022; 1197 Tax Petition Repeal Committee, 2004-06; president, Bethel Park School District Wrestling Team, 2025; volunteer, Our Lady of Hope Parish Picnic

Years residing in municipality: Since 1985

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

As a fiscal conservative, I would exhaust every avenue possible when funding new projects. As I have always done, I weigh the benefit versus cost when planning any new project to keep taxes affordable for all residents. During my tenure on council, we have always planned and have received over $5 million in state grants to minimize the cost of new projects on our taxpayers. I will continue to seek input from our residents when considering new projects or programs, and continue to seek state funding and partner with local organizations.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

During my tenure on council, we have always evaluated all our programs and built on the successful ones such as the farmers’ market and Touch a Truck. Seeking community feedback and promoting events through social media, school district and Bethel Park Chronicles has built community involvement. Having programs for residents of all ages, such as the addition of pickleball courts, walking trails and a splash park, has expanded our offerings to all age groups. Making sure all our residents have options to get involved is extremely important to increasing community involvement.

Diane Ford

Democrat

Age: 57

Education: Master’s in organization leadership, bachelor’s in business administration, associate in paralegal studies

Occupation: Executive director of Melting Pot Ministries

Community involvement/volunteer work: Business owner of Reverae Aging Naturally Energy Spa; co-founder of Operation Feed A Neighbor; volunteer with Adopt A Family; former director of operations at BP Chamber; former BP Chamber and Spencer Family YMCA board member; former consultant for Bethel Park School District

Years residing in municipality: 57

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I would assess the needs and priorities those needs based on the greatest impact the project or service has on our community. A timeline would also be created to keep the prioritized needs moving forward in a fiscally responsible way.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

A. I would like to host community family gatherings that bring the neighbors together. This would include access to babysitters, meals, solution-based conversations, laughter and fun community-building activities. This will be affordable and take place in a location that is ADA-compliant so that every neighbor has an opportunity to participate.

Ward 5

Joe Janosik

Democrat

Age: 55

Education: Bachelor of science in business administration from West Virginia University

Occupation: Asset serving relations management for a large bank

Community involvement/volunteer work: Current councilman for Ward 5; previously served on the Bethel Park Zoning Hearing Board; Friends of the Library

Years residing in municipality: 40 years, 1970-96 and 2012 to present

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Fiscal responsibility is something I care about very much, and I spend a lot of time poring over the budget to make sure there is no wasteful spending and we are operating within our means. I am focused on providing the level of service our residents have come to expect with a limited impact on their wallet and advocating for the kinds of projects that further enhance Bethel Park and keep it attractive. The Splash Park as part of the Community Center complex and the pickleball courts in Millennium Park are prime examples of facilities that increase the value of living in Bethel Park and make it a destination for families looking for a place to raise their families. The upgrades we’ve made to the many neighborhood parks over the years are another good example.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

I think we already do a great job providing opportunities for residents to get involved in the events we sponsor throughout the community with the regular release of the Bethel Park Chronicles publication, from our award-winning farmers’ market to the Community Day event to the Halloween Parade to the extensive list of programs at the Community Center. We try to do regular events that people are familiar with, so they know when to expect them and where to be. A couple other examples are the Fourth of July fireworks display and “No Cook Tuesdays” in the fall. We are also involved with the annual Art and Music Festival and regularly collaborate with the Bethel Park Historical Society. These events are also publicized online for those who like to get their information from the internet or through social media. There is no shortage of opportunities for our residents to get involved.

Tom Provins

Republican

Age: 52

Education: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer Training Academy, Act 120

Occupation: Light-rail operator at Pittsburgh Regional Transit

Community involvement/volunteer work: Volunteered with local, state and national political campaigns to help candidates win their races; knocked on thousands of doors, shared facts, inspired voters and changed many opinions; planted countless yard signs and handed out more flyers than I could have counted

Years residing in municipality: I have lived in Bethel Park’s Ward 5 my entire life. My family was among the first residents of Bethel Township, dating back to the early 1900s. In fact, my grandfather began working in Mine 3 at age 12 in 1912.

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Bethel Park’s current budgetary process is functional, but I believe we can enhance its fiscal responsibility. Like many residents, I prioritize needs over wants in my household budget, and our municipality should do the same. To achieve this, I propose regular audits to identify wasteful spending and a transparent process for prioritizing essential services like public safety and infrastructure. My goal is to lower taxes, not raise them, ensuring Bethel Park remains affordable for families. With school and county taxes already straining residents, we must protect the residents by saving smarter and spending wisely.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

As a council member, I recognize that Bethel Park residents are busy balancing work and family priorities. To encourage participation in municipal events, I’ll prioritize clear, accessible communication. A centralized calendar, available online and in print, paired with targeted emails, opt-in texts, social media posts and local flyers will keep residents informed about activities like festivals and recreational programs. By offering affordable, family-friendly events at convenient times and seeking community input, we’ll boost engagement, fostering a vibrant Bethel Park without raising taxes.

Ward 7

Jillian Kautzman

Democrat

Age: 48

Education: Bachelor of science in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management, Penn State University

Occupation: Area director of revenue management for a national hotel management company

Community involvement/volunteer work: Bethel Park Democratic Committee member; member of South Arts Pittsburgh; recording secretary for Friends of Bethel Park Library

Years residing in municipality: 16

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

It is imperative in this current environment that council remains laser-focused on balancing the need to keep taxes manageable with the need to provide community resources and services. With federal and local funding being cut and/or held up during budget impasses, our neighbors are beginning to see cuts that are affecting them directly. We have an obligation to make sure that folks can get help, knowledge of where to go, or resources. It starts with working hand-in-hand with the municipal staff and management to understand the impact of the funds needed in each area. We must also understand the needs of the community and solicit feedback on the most-needed projects. Then, council must be able to collaborate to determine the priorities of new projects.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

It is important to understand who our community is when thinking about this question: 46% of residents of Bethel Park are ages 30-64. These are folks with young children, some with full-time jobs, some caring for aging parents and managing day-to-day life. If we want people involved in the community, we need to be willing to modify events to accommodate people in all stages of life. We also need to ensure that we communicate in the right ways for all our constituents. For example, to encourage more people to attend regular council meetings, could there be child care provided for that hour or two so that young families could be involved? Are we making sure that events are held in spaces that are accessible to everyone? Are we advertising and soliciting participation in ways that will get to our community members? These are basic questions that deserve thought and attention.

Kevin Sheahen

Republican

Age: 70

Education: Bachelor of science, engineering, Michigan Technological University; master of business administration, operations management, University of Evansville

Occupation: Professional engineer/senior project estimator and scheduler for AECOM, retired June 2025; president, Pittsburgh Chapter of American Society of Professional Estimators, retired July 2025; registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia; major local projects – resident construction manager, Port Authority Stage II Light Rail Project (Blue Line); project engineer, North Shore Tunnel Project

Community involvement/volunteer work: Bethel Park Lions Club; Resurrection Parish; former chapter president of Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of National Congress for Fathers and Children; former Bethel Park Recreation Department T-ball and Little League coach.

Years residing in municipality: 39.5

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I’ve spent my career as a professional engineer and certified cost estimator, so I know how to find efficiencies and make sure every dollar counts. I’d bring that same mindset to managing Bethel Park’s finances. Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with state and local officials, and I’ll use those connections to make sure Bethel Park is well-represented and positioned for funding opportunities.

Residents should always have a real voice in decisions that affect them. I want to continue building on our present administration’s efforts to encourage advisory committees and open discussions. Financially, I support maintaining a reserve fund equal to about 2.5 months of operating costs to keep us stable without raising taxes. And when it comes to capital projects, I’ll focus on what’s most necessary and impactful. Throughout this campaign, I’ve shared my phone number and email with every resident, and that open line of communication will continue if elected.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

Strong communities are built on effective communication. Bethel Park’s Municipal website already does a great job keeping people connected with updates, events, activities and local news. Keeping it fresh and useful takes teamwork from everyone: officials, community leaders and residents alike.

As a council member, I want to recognize the people and groups who make Bethel Park better every day. When we celebrate their efforts, it not only builds pride but also encourages others to participate. I’m newly retired with the time to stay informed and actively participate in community programs. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, and when people feel seen and included, our whole community grows stronger.

Ward 9

Denise A. Galloni

Republican

Age: 61

Education: Bachelor of science, business management, and master of science, professional leadership, both from Carlow University

Occupation: Owner and president of DG Training Solutions Inc. (leadership and communication consulting); professional speaker and author

Community involvement/volunteer work: Hosted three TV shows on BPTV, as well as participating in the Bethel Park Halloween Parade the past four years and providing Facebook livestream; several years on the Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce board of directors; Walk for Alzheimer’s team captain and advocate; served on numerous industry-related boards of directors.

Years residing in municipality: 29

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

This is a delicate balance. I would look to see if this is a need or just a want for the new project or service. If it is a service or project that is needed and council agrees, I would go through the budget line by line to see if there are ways to cut back on an expense to have extra dollars for the new service. I would first look at the budgets that would be responsible for this service and then budgets that have a surplus. Once this is done, I would look to see if there are any grants or ways to supplement the project, possibly using state or county monies or sponsorships from local businesses. Depending on the item, I would look to neighboring municipalities to see how they have addressed these types of projects in the past. I feel strongly that raising taxes should be the last resort.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

I believe people may think getting involved is too time-consuming, and there is not clear communication of what is available and ways to become involved. There are many activities in the municipality that people can become involved in that are not a large time commitment, such as an elected position. I would encourage participation by outlining activities and programs needing assistance and what roles need filled. We live in such an active municipality; there is something for everyone, whether it is serving on a board, assisting with events at the schools or helping by teaching a class at the Community Center. Whatever your interest, look for those opportunities to meet fellow residents and contribute to keep Bethel Park a wonderful municipality with activities for everyone.

Alison Piccolino

Democrat

Age: 45

Education: Bachelor of science, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; master of business administration, Carlow University

Occupation: Director of external affairs, Senate of Pennsylvania

Community involvement/volunteer Work: Board of directors, Bethel Park Soccer Association; former vice president, William Penn PTO; chair, Wreaths Across America, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cemetery in West Mifflin; board of directors, Kingsley Association; former board of directors, Regional Trail Corp.

Years residing in municipality: 7

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Whether it is with funding, knowledge and/or shared services, partnerships are a key piece to the success and growth of a community. Working for the Senate of Pennsylvania for close to 20 years now, I have worked with communities and local leaders on a variety of grant opportunities from all levels of government, county, state and federal. There is also the foundation and nonprofit communities that can assist in bridging the gap to services, programs and/or funding. In my volunteer work/nonprofit experience, I have seen the positive impact a partnership of organizations can have on a service, initiative and/or project.

What would you like to do as far as encouraging more residents to get involved with events, activities and programs offered by the municipality?

I remember when my family moved to Bethel, we were impressed with the wide variety of activities and events the community offers. Communicating what we offer and keeping that communication line open to learn what we are missing is important. Sometimes you have to take the information to the community, whether that is with additional communitywide events, additional free trials or partnering with organizations in the community that offer similar programs and support one another.